Incidence of injuries and illness and related risk factors in mountain biking events: A systematic review protocol

Abstract Background Cycling is a popular sport and method of transportation globally but is a significant contributor to sports injury admissions in hospital emergency units. Mountain biking events present additional challenges with remote venues, and isolated courses. Most mountain biking events will provide on-site medical care for both injury and illness occurring during races. These data are essential to understand the true incidence of injury and illness in mountain biking events as national health data may not represent these unique events specifically. Methods This review will follow the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Search engines PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost), PEDro and the Cochrane Library will be systematically searched. Gray literature searches of Google Scholar and manual searching of reference lists and congress abstracts from cycling specific congresses will be conducted. Journal articles documenting illness and injury in adults participating in mountain bike cross-country marathon events will be included. A narrative analysis of the types, severity and area of injuries; and illness type and severity will be performed. A quantitative analysis may be performed should there be sufficient studies reported in the same format. Discussion This protocol outlines a systematic review on injury and illness in mountain biking events. Data from hospital records may not adequately represent the burden of injury and illness at events held in remote venues, especially if those treated on site do not require further hospital based treatment. This review will assist with the development of further research in this area, and in preparation of clinicians working in these types of events. Systematic review registration: This protocol has been registered with PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (No: CRD42019134586).